12 Tips for New Kindergarten Teachers

Kindergarten is its own kind of magical world. After all, it’s the foundation upon which students develop as learners and as individuals, socially, emotionally, and academically. Whether you are a new teacher about to jump in or moving from another grade, below are 12 tips for new Kindergarten teachers to start the year on the right foot.

Tip 1: Patience. Patience. Patience

The first and foremost tip for new Kindergarten teachers is to understand that, for many students, this is their first schooling experience. This may be the longest they have ever been away from their families – or their house and comfort space.

Some may have never walked in a line before, needed to wait their turn to talk, or even used a “big kid bathroom” all by themselves.

So, having realistic expectations for the first week of kindergarten is paramount. 

I always think of it this way: We get to help shape how our students will feel about school from now on. That is a pretty special job!

Tip 2: Prepare for the Unexpected

Let's be real. Young kids have accidents. A little one may have a bathroom accident or spill chocolate milk down their shirt at lunch. It happens more often than you think.

Consider asking parents to send in a change of clothes for their students (including underwear and socks) as part of their school supply list. Place them in a gallon-size, zip-top bag labeled with the student’s name and keep it in their backpack, cubbie, or the classroom. Then, you’ll always have a change of clothes whenever needed.

Situations like illnesses, last-minute meetings, or appointments might throw off your lesson plans. If that is ever the case, it is best to be prepared with no-prep activities. This Plans in a Pinch resource is a fantastic way to have emergency sub plans at your fingertips.

Do I have everyone?! One of the best tips for new kindergarten teachers is to count heads often to ensure you have all your students. Anytime you leave the room, the playground, specials, lunch, etc. – always do a head count!

Tip 3: Make Your Classroom a Safe Space

It's totally normal to have a few students who cry on the first day of school. These little people have a lot of changes headed their way, which means a lot of adjusting. 

To combat the tears and help your students cope, create a “cozy corner” somewhere in the classroom. You might consider having a stuffed animal they can hold or an enjoyable activity like morning tub centers waiting for them there. 

One teacher I know invited students to bring pictures of their families and created a mini-bulletin board display. 

Don't forget to laugh with your kiddos and celebrate their successes. They will be honest, true to themselves, and utterly resilient, so join in on their fun to make your classroom a home away from home.

Tip 4: Allow Time for Adjustment

If you’re moving down to kindergarten from a higher grade, this tip for new teachers might surprise you. For incoming kindergarteners, everything is new—they have a new school, a new classroom, a new teacher, and new friends.

So, allow the students time to feel comfortable in this new space and with all the new faces that come with it.

Simple activities like play dough, blocks, plastic bears, and other math manipulatives will keep their attention while they absorb their new schedule and expectations.

Tip 5: Build Connections

Connections are vital to the success of your kindergarten classroom. Your students need to know that you genuinely like them and care about them. Find out what their interests are and what excites them. 

Making connections with your students isn't the only important relationship you should build. Having other teachers to collaborate with and talk to who understand your life makes it more fun and less stressful.

Tip 6: Lean Into Social Skills

Social-emotional development is a big deal in kindergarten. Students learn valuable life skills like interacting with others, taking turns, sharing, and solving problems.

Create opportunities for your students to interact with each other, mixing up pairs and groups so they can all get acquainted.

Tip 7: Practice Procedures… Again and Again and Again

You must teach your brand-new Kindergarteners every procedure you want them to follow throughout the year. Trust me, you'll be glad you took the time early on to do this.

An excellent first step is to make a list of every procedure that they will need to know. This list might include unpacking/packing up, using the restroom, getting their lunch, asking a question, where to sit on the carpet, and how the papers will be passed out. The list goes on.

Allow extra time during transitions (like cleaning up, getting ready for lunch, and dismissal) to model and practice the procedure.

Model examples—but also NON-examples. It’s a great time to get silly and model what your students shouldn't be doing, like twirling in circles as you move around the classroom or even taking off your shoes and spinning them in the air during carpet time. Then, let them tell you what you’re doing wrong so they can see what they should and shouldn’t be doing.

Remember that each day is a new day, so you'll need to model, practice, and repeat.

Tip 8: Have All of Your Supplies Ready

Kindergarteners aren't known for their attention span or ability to sit still, so it's important that you’re (extra) prepared for activities. Have your copies made and all the tools or manipulatives you will need ready and nearby.

Sometimes, your activity will take ten times longer than planned, and other times, it won't take the whole time, so make sure you have backup activities or extra read-aloud books ready to go.

Tip 9: Keep It Short & Take Lots of Breaks

We’ve already established that attention spans are short, so keep activities brief and on their level. Brain breaks and songs are a great way to break up the day and get the wiggles out. Go Noodle, Dr. Jean, and Jack Hartmann all offer fun songs and activities to help.

Learn a few age-appropriate transition games and activities to tuck in your back pocket. You’ll want simple, quick games that require no prep or materials.

Tip 10: Read Aloud. A Lot.

All students love it when somebody reads to them. Read-alouds are easy to plan and can (should!) be done several times throughout the day. 

Select books like We Don't Eat Our Classmates, First Day Jitters, and No, David! as some great starter examples for discussions on impulsivity, classroom rules, and emotions.

Books are also a great way to extend vocabulary and get kids talking by asking questions.

Tip 11: Ditch the Duty-Free Lunch

Duty-free lunches are when we get things done: use the restroom, make copies, check our mailbox, oh…and eat! But unless your cafeteria has a lot of helpers, plan on accompanying students to lunch the first few days of school.

Students will need help getting through the lunch line, holding those wobbly trays, finding their lunch table, and opening packages or containers. If you can give your students a tour of the cafeteria before their first lunch, that can help make the transition smoother.

Once you get your students settled in the cafeteria, sitting down and having lunch with them will help them feel safer and more likely to eat, knowing you are there right beside them.

Tip 12: Avoid Kindergarten Dismissal Chaos

This new Kindergarten teacher tip is ultra important! There's nothing worse than nearing dismissal time only to realize you're unsure how a student is getting home.

Make sure parents know what time dismissal is and what the procedure is. Double- and triple-check how each student will be going home. Write it down or add it to your lesson plans so you can take it with you when the bells ring.

A great way to keep track is to create name tags or color-coded paper wristbands so you can easily (and quickly!) identify how each student is going home. Attach the wristband to the grab handle of each student's backpack so it doesn’t go missing or get damaged throughout the day. Car riders have one color wristband, while bus riders have a different color.

If they are meeting a sibling, make sure someone walks them to the older sibling.

This very last tip for new kindergarten teachers might be one of the most important: never take the students' word on how they are going home! We know Kindergarteners have quite the imagination, so always verify with a parent or guardian.

I hope these tips and tricks support you as you take on your role as a new Kindergarten teacher for the school year ahead! What are some tips that you use in your Kindergarten classroom? Tell me about them in the comments below!

I hope these tips and tricks support you as you take on your role as a new Kindergarten teacher for the school year ahead! What are some tips that you use in your Kindergarten classroom? Tell me about them in the comments below!